"Look, we're playing football," linebacker Jerrell Freeman conceded. "It gets competitive. I mean, you were out there. You've seen it. I'm out there running with tight ends and we're jawing. It's competitive, period.

"But at the same time, you have to be smart. You have to know that these are the guys who are trying to help us win the Super Bowl, so you can't be dumb. Use your technique. You can compete, but you can't finish off guys, no holding, no tugging. It's simple stuff. We're trying to take care of each other, man."

Coaches admonish players about excessive contact during offseason workouts not only because of the injury risk but also because there are clear rules about what is prohibited during offseason work.

Players can wear helmets, but padded practices are not permitted. But again, with players working in close proximity to each other and at a high tempo – coaches try to squeeze as many reps into practices as possible – things are bound to happen.

Defensive backs covering receivers are still going to try to make plays on the ball. Contact is almost unavoidable between offensive and defensive linemen.

Again, it's football.

The key, it seems, is taking the foot off the gas pedal just enough. But not too much, lest you look bad on film that will be scrutinized in a coaches meeting right after practice.

"You just have to take care of yourself and take care of your teammates," cornerback Darius Butler said. "Obviously in the games, you go all out. But in practice, you have to take a step back. Even if you know you can make a play as a defender, you might ease up so you don't cause a collision."

This is something veterans and coaches have to continually preach to young players. Among the 90 players on the Colts roster are a number of rookies and first-year players trying to make an impact. Some are long shots to make the team. For them, OTAs are essential.

"Young guys sometimes don't understand the tempo," Butler said. "Once you get to the pros, you start to understand that practice in college and practice in the pros is different. When you're a pro, (being careful) should become easier for you."

The Colts have two more weeks of OTAs, followed by their mandatory minicamp. With each practice, the risk of injury remains very real.

It's up to players and coaches to do their best to minimize that risk.